Register Now

In order to be able to post messages on the German Shepherd Dog Forums forums, you must first register.
Please enter your desired user name, your email address and other required details in the form below.

User Name:

Password

Please enter a password for your user account. Note that passwords are case-sensitive.

Password:

Confirm Password:

Email Address

Please enter a valid email address for yourself.

Email Address:

OR

Log-in

User Name

Password

Remember Me?

Human Verification

In order to verify that you are a human and not a spam bot, please enter the answer into the following box below based on the instructions contained in the graphic.

Additional Options

Miscellaneous Options

Automatically parse links in text

Automatically embed media (requires automatic parsing of links in text to be on).

Automatically retrieve titles from external links

Topic Review (Newest First)

12-20-2012 03:50 PM

FlyAway

What a great story. I know, not exactly what you were planning, but he sounds like he's working out. Maybe he will eventually decide to play with the kids. It doesn't sound like you've had him very long. There's always time.

12-20-2012 03:38 PM

Asiakp

Thank you everyone for true compliments and advice! Jag, I day dreamed for a long time about my perfect working line German shepherd I was going to own. He was going to be a beautiful dark sable and I was going to do sooo many things with him lol! I really wanted one from Wildhaus, the owner Chris was amazing when I talked to her via email! She was FULL of ecxellent advice and pointers, and most importantly, she was very honest about whether one of her dogs would be a good match for me or not, and she even reccommded some show line breeders to me, which proves to me she has others best interests at heart, and doesn't care about making money off her dogs! That's why when given the choice between Apache and one of her pups, I chose Apache. Chris is so thorough about her pups, I know without question all of them go to good homes. It would have been easier to go through her and get a pup, but honestly having Apache and watching him get to experience life has been an amazing reward within itself. I still will probably want a dog from Wildhaus in the future, but right now I have to put a LOT of effort in trying to make up to Apache what he's been missing in life thus far. And I live in an apartment, and while Apache seems ok with it, he also spent his whole life in a crate until I got him so this is like a mansion to him lol. When I buy a house soon I will definately be looking around again! Thanks again for your advice everyone! Apache is getting a lot better, he still opens his mouth like he is going to bite me, but then he closes it, so he's off to a good start!

12-20-2012 01:58 AM

wolfy dog

Beautiful pup!! Kind eyes. Keep working him gently on a level he can handle and show him the world to build his confidence. Don't despair about this crazy shark stage. With all the previous suggestions he'll do well and grow out of it. You can't believe it when that finally happens. I have trained and owned many dogs but that shark stage surprised me. Wishing you many happy years together.

12-20-2012 12:28 AM

Jag

He's gorgeous! Yes, he should grow into his ears. It's his age. I totally agree the mouthing is just a GSD thing. Redirection is the best way... I also teach 'gentle' to allow for the mouthing, but in an easier way. It's great that he's so bonded with you, but I agree he needs to expand his 'inner circle'. You'll have to try different things and see what is a 'high value' treat to him. Then ONLY the people in your family give that treat to him. Not you. He will have to learn to accept commands from everyone else, too. My boy blows off my wife, too. However, she's kind of hung back and not tried to bond with him...so I guess she doesn't mind that he ignores her. She can walk him, etc.

Your story of how you got him reminds me of how I got my African Grey. I was planning to get a baby from a great breeder in the spring, also. Then I came across a very neglected and abused Grey and ended up getting her instead. She turned out to be one of the best Greys I've ever seen! Sometimes things work out the way they should, not the way we expected. Thank you for taking him in! He sounds like a great pup, and is lucky to have come into your home and family. This is a great resource for GSD owners. If you can, find a puppy class to take him to. Have your fiance go with him to help build that bond. I think you're going to be very happy with this boy!!

12-19-2012 11:02 PM

Asiakp

Thanks for the response! Do you remember what age she was when she started paying the other family members attention?

12-19-2012 10:57 PM

bigd3077

Pretty dog!! Redirect as much as possible and exercise!! A tired pup is a behaved pup!!

12-19-2012 10:52 PM

katdog5911

My Stella used to not really pay attention to anyone except me. She wouldn't listen to my dh and was a bit fearful of my son. But now she loves to play with both of them. We didn't really do anything special. They just kept playing and petting her and she finally figured out that they were fun! But the circumstances are not the same so I don't know if that would work for you....

12-19-2012 10:36 PM

Asiakp

Another pic of Apache, he's got some big goofy ears! I am not sure if he's going to grow into them or not, but they make me laugh!

12-19-2012 10:30 PM

Asiakp

I'm trying to include a pic
Not sure if it worked or not! Ok I have been trying the redirect thing with him and I think he is catching on. I tried the 'owww' and he kind of tilted his head at me like I was crazy lol but it did work to get him to stop! When I hand him the toy to redirect that also stops him for a couple of minutes, I'm sure if I keep at it he will catch on, he's a smart boy and really tries so hard to please. That's why his potty training was so easy, the first time I caught him in the act I told him no and made him watch while I cleaned it up and took it outside and set it where I wanted him to go, and he never had an accident since! I sincerely see why so many people love the breed, although I think he is a lot lower drive than most GSDs. He's a very 'cuddly' looking dog, and my family is hurt by the fact that he has no interest in them. My fiancé has tried enticing him with treats and my kids try to get him to play with them. He will let anybody walk up and pet him, it's really odd though, it's like he looks straight through them. It honestly is the only time I've ever seen a dog go so far out of his way to ignore something. I had wondered if in m fiancés case Apache was just fearful of him, but he doesn't cower or avoid him, he just acts like he isn't there. I'm flattered and honored to be the object of Apaches affection but its also inconvenient since he absolutely will not let my fiancé take him out for walks and to go to the bathroom, so guess who it is taking him out 8-10 times a day to walk and go to the bathroom? Yours truly! My fiancé tried to take him out, but all the wonderful things Apache does for me on the leash, heeling and such, does not happen for my fiancé. I don't get mad, because if I am not willing to brave the cold Michigan weather for Apache, then I don't deserve him. But I feel guilty that Apache is so indifferent towards my family. Is there some kind Of treat that is like irresistible to dogs that I can have my family give to him? Right now I have a package of deli turkey that I use just for him for treats, is there something dogs are ecspecially partial to? I want everyone to love Apache the way I do, and right now, my fiancé marvels at how smart he is and how calm he is, but he hasn't formed that bond with him. I'm going to try everyone's suggestions again though, and see what happens! Thanks again everyone!

12-19-2012 09:02 PM

GSDElsa

Redirect, redirect, redirect! Toys will definitley be your best friend.

As an aside, I would recommend trying to work on his bonding with your family. It's probably not a big deal now because o fhis age, but if he goes through a bigger fear period or starts maturing there might be problems down the road.

Have them do some training or take over some duties for his care so he also bonds with them. I think it will be more fun for everyone!

This thread has more than 10 replies.
Click here to review the whole thread.